Several days prior, in Kiten, a crucial border town of the Clover Kingdom, serving as a key defensive point against the Diamond Kingdom.
While Yami, Drake, and Asta were briefing the Wizard King on their mission from the underwater temple, the Diamond Kingdom launched a surprise attack on Kiten. This wasn't a minor border skirmish; the sheer number of Diamond Kingdom mages was unprecedented.
Most alarmingly, three of their Eight Shining Generals led the attack—a force usually reserved for full-scale wars. It felt like the end of days.
However, Drake knew this was due to an internal power struggle within the Diamond Kingdom. These mages, including the three Generals, were expendable.
In recent years, as the Diamond Kingdom's king aged, power had shifted to the mage scholar, Morris. Morris's artificial mage project had yielded results; most of the Eight Shining Generals had been replaced by new, artificially created mages like Mars. The older Generals were deemed obsolete and sent to Kiten as expendable pawns.
Despite their expendable status, the Eight Shining Generals were the equivalent of Magic Knight Captains. With their large force, they quickly overwhelmed Kiten.
Fortunately, the Magic Knights responded swiftly. The Golden Dawn, led by Captain William Vangeance, arrived for support, resulting in intense fighting in Kiten.
Yami, informed by headquarters, immediately decided to provide support. Luckily, Finral had been to Kiten before. Finding him in the capital, the Black Bulls quickly arrived at the battlefield using Finral's spatial magic.
Upon arrival, they didn't see fierce fighting but an immense tree, its crown almost obscuring the entire town. Its roots spread like pythons, its branches like spears, completely routing the invading Diamond Kingdom forces.
"World Tree Magic: Great Tree Mistilteinn!" This was Captain Vangeance's magic, instantly turning the tide of the battle. The sheer power was unimaginable; the vast amount of magic power required was astounding. Most impressively, Vangeance had avoided harming his own troops and the civilians.
This showcased his skill as a top-tier Magic Knight and his closeness to the Wizard King.
Seeing the colossal tree, Asta's eyes widened.
"What's that giant tree? Did Kiten plant such a big tree?"
Asta's usual excitable self was on full display, but others were more practical.
"Are there giant fruits?" asked Charmy, still dreaming of the head chef's cooking from headquarters. She'd stubbornly followed them to Kiten. She wasn't here for food, though, but for Yuno.
Drake had forgotten the details of their relationship, but Charmy always called Yuno "the prince of delicious food," leaving the extent of food's influence on her infatuation unclear.
Yami delivered two hand chops to the distracted duo. "That's probably Golden Flash's magic. Maybe it's better if he didn't come."
Finral, ever the worrier, complained, "Can we just go back?"
No one paid him any attention, leaving him to dejectedly repeat, "I'm a senior."
Drake looked around. "But several powerful mages haven't been dealt with!"
While Vangeance's magic was powerful, it couldn't defeat everyone. Skilled mages could easily evade it. Drake sensed at least four or five powerful magic signatures still active, proving the Eight Shining Generals' skill.
Drake didn't intend to fight; he had his own purpose, requiring a confrontation with Vangeance.
"I'll check the situation; Golden Flash might be up there. Try not to die helping the townspeople!" Yami said, leaping from the wall.
Drake, ignoring the order, followed Yami.
Yami said, "Kid, didn't you hear me?"
Drake said seriously, "I know what you're doing, Captain! But this concerns me; I should be there."
Yami stared. "Kids these days are perceptive! Come on; we need to figure some things out."
Did Yami truly believe Kiten needed support? No. He trusted the Golden Dawn and Vangeance's abilities. Even against three Generals and numerous mages, they couldn't defeat Vangeance's Golden Dawn.
Yami's concern stemmed from his suspicions after the battle with Patri. He felt a strange familiarity with Patri, his face reminding him of his long-time rival. Their magic, Grimoires, appearances, and even ki were different, yet his intuition linked them.
He needed to resolve this uncertainty. He hadn't seen Vangeance since then, not even at the subsequent Captain's meeting. Vangeance's recent activities were suspicious; his explanation of being on a mission lacked conviction.
Yami seized this opportunity during the underwater temple mission.
They quickly climbed the giant tree, sensing Vangeance's powerful magic.
"No good!" They both sensed something was wrong; Yami sped up.
Vangeance had just subdued a General when someone emerged from the smoke, about to attack Vangeance. Strong mages often over-rely on their magical senses during battle.
Mages like Lotus, skilled at concealing their magic power, often succeed in surprise attacks. Asta's surprise attacks were due to his lack of magic power.
Yami, however, relied more on sensing ki, so Lotus's stealth didn't fool him. His blade forced Lotus back.
"Yami?!" Vangeance was clearly surprised.
"Excuse me, Golden Flash!" Yami greeted him. "You owe me one!"
"Thank you for the rescue. You sensed my ki? Impressive," Vangeance replied politely.
Drake arrived as Lotus, demonstrating his Diamond Kingdom spirit, promptly retreated with the defeated General.
"Decisive guy!" Yami commented, his expression turning serious. "Now that the irrelevant people are gone, let's have a nice chat in this beautiful scenery. Vangeance!"
Vangeance smiled. "Rare to see you so serious! But is that young man alright?"
Drake approached Yami. "Captain Vangeance, this is our second meeting."
This was their first meeting outside the Magic Knight entrance exam.
Vangeance nodded. "I remember you. You're from Yuno's village, a boy favored by the four-leaf clover."
Drake continued. "An honor! But I asked Captain Yami to bring me here; it's important."
Vangeance said, "I understand. Yami, speak."
Yami lit a cigarette. "I trust my intuition. Vangeance… would you mind removing your mask?"
After a pause, Vangeance said, "My face isn't meant for others to see."
Yami feigned ease. "Why? Are you incredibly ugly? Don't worry, I don't mock people!"
His joking demeanor didn't lighten the mood. Vangeance smiled. "I understand… you suspect… I'm the Eye of the Midnight Sun's leader."
Yami's smile vanished. "Frankly, yes."
Yami reminisced. "We've known each other for almost ten years! We met on the battlefield, fought together, and became Captains around the same time; Nozel's three braids were still wobbly back then!"
His playful comment didn't amuse anyone.
"We weren't close, but we've known each other for a long time! So… let me see… your face."
Yami's words were nostalgic but conveyed his suspicion. Refusal would mean immediate action.
"Alright," Vangeance said, accepting.
Removing his mask revealed a scar covering half his face.
Yami looked at Drake, who nodded. Yami said, "Julius mentioned it, but it's a serious scar. My newcomer saw this face elsewhere; can you explain?"
Vangeance remained calm. "I can't explain; you wouldn't believe in coincidence."
Yami sighed. "Vangeance, you're making this difficult."
Vangeance smiled. "If you don't mind, I'll tell you about this scar."
Seeing Yami's interest, Vangeance began his story.
"Because of this birthmark, I was called the cursed child. Magic couldn't heal it; people feared and hated me. I was a noble's illegitimate child, living in the outskirts until the heir died. My magic power was high; World Tree magic is rare. But even there, my face was shunned. I was severely abused by my stepmother; my childhood was hell."
Yami said, "You… had it rough."
Vangeance smiled warmly. "But then, I met Julius. He didn't care about my appearance, only my abilities. I was happy; I wanted to dedicate my magic to him!"
Vangeance's smile was genuine. Yami felt a connection; their stories were similar.
Even Drake sensed Vangeance's sincerity; he truly wanted to serve Julius. Without knowing the truth, Drake would have dismissed his suspicions.
Drake spoke, his tone serious. "Captain Vangeance, what's your relationship with Captain Fuegoleon?"
Vangeance paused. "Fuegoleon? He's frank and cheerful; we're close friends."
"Friends?" Drake's eyes sparked. "Yes, Captain Fuegoleon saw Captain Vangeance's face, giving the enemy an opportunity!"
Vangeance fell silent; he understood. Fuegoleon was his friend, critically injured, and he bore responsibility.
Drake said, "I have no right to lecture a Captain, but sometimes, giving a choice to others is a choice in itself."
Drake turned to Yami. "Captain Yami, things aren't settled below; I'll help!"
Drake had spoken his mind; he hadn't intended to convince Vangeance. Vangeance's will couldn't be changed easily.
Drake's main reason for confronting Vangeance was to show someone inside him something.
Drake leaped from the tree; his necklace swung. He didn't like jewelry; he wore it for a reason—a clear, oval gem.
Vangeance, from above, looked at Drake; his eyes sharpened.
Yami sensed a chill, but it seemed like a delusion. But afterward, Yami's expression was filled with conflict and pain.
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